Poll - 2014-07-30 | Las Vegas Advisor

It was back in 2009 that we last surveyed your Las Vegas transportation habits. There have been some significant changes since, plus we'd like to know more about your informational needs in this area. So, check as many of the following options as apply to you, and supplement your response with an email, if you have more to share on this subject. We're all ears!

5553 Total Votes

Normally, I get a rental car when I visit.

16% (868)

I generally walk from place to place.

11% (619)

I use a combination of walking, cabs, Monorail, and/or bus depending on where I’m going, what I’m doing, and what seems quickest/most economical at the time.

9% (504)

I wish the Monorail connected to the airport. I’d definitely use it over a cab or shuttle if it did.

8% (469)

I’d certainly use the Monorail if it serviced downtown; for the Strip, I think there are better modes of transport and the stations involve too long a walk to get to/from the casinos. Good idea, but not as it currently operates.

7% (377)

I wish more hotels cooperated with each other to offer free shuttles/trams between Strip properties, to downtown, and the main neighborhood casinos. Wouldn’t it be an economical way for them to bring more foot traffic to their casinos while helping the congestion problem? As it is, I don’t want to drive or cab it, so a lot of casinos miss out on my gambling patronage.

6% (340)

I take cabs.

6% (327)

I use my own vehicle to get around.

5% (305)

I hear some hotels offer a free airport shuttle service, but which ones, and how do I use it? Is it a common service that I’m missing out on?

4% (217)

My biggest concern about transportation in Las Vegas is being ripped off by a long-hauling cab driver. Seems cliched, but not when it’s still a fact of life!

4% (215)

I’d use the Monorail if the pricing was more competitive. But a 24-hour pass costs almost $3 more than the same pass for the bus, and I can take the bus anywhere in town!

3% (169)

My current pet peeve is the cost of PARKING, especially downtown. The meters are really pricey, while the days of free hotel parking seem to be a fading memory, even if you’re a guest or a player! This nickel-and-diming is undermining the reasons for going downtown in the first place.

3% (167)

I don’t understand why car-rental prices in Vegas are so high, compared to other cities. It’s my preferred transportation option but the rates now deter me from visiting Vegas at all.

3% (159)

I take the bus, primarily.

3% (141)

One of my biggest questions is about valet parking and how much I should tip, and to whom. When I drop off, pick up, or both? What’s the going rate?

2% (127)

I mainly use the Monorail.

2% (95)

Is valet parking safe in Las Vegas? I don’t know how careful the valets are and I understand the hotels accept no responsibility for damage/theft etc. Is that really true?

1% (82)

My biggest concern in Las Vegas is road safety, or the lack thereof. I’ve seen/heard about so many accidents and fatalities and it seems to get worse, not better. It makes the entire city experience feel too dangerous these days; there’s so much to do, but I don’t want to risk my life for any of it!

1% (72)

I’m comped limo service by the hotel where I stay.

1% (54)

I’m not comfortable driving in Las Vegas because of parking. I’ve heard of/seen too many incidents in those huge hotel parking garages, where I feel vulnerable, especially late at night, plus I’m nervous of parking on the street or in dark public lots. Am I paranoid or is there some validity to my general anxiety?

1% (42)

I’d travel by bus if I thought it was safe, but I fear they may be rowdy/unreliable/otherwise risky.

1% (36)

I’d be inclined to travel by bus if I knew the system/city better, but I’m afraid I’d get totally lost and don’t know how to familiarize myself.

1% (32)

OTHER - we can’t think of what we may have missed, but we’d wager there’s something, so use this option and then please email us with whatever it is!

1% (30)

In the past, I never even considered using the bus system, but with all the recent/ongoing major RTC upgrades, including the new express routes and expanded off-Strip Deuce service, I use it a lot!

0% (26)

I treat myself to a limo if I need to get around.

0% (24)

By choice, I seldom leave the property where I’m staying, so this poll doesn’t much apply to me.

0% (24)

I use another form of transportation (please specify).

0% (21)

I’m much more inclined to take a cab now that they generally accept credit cards and I use them with regularity; in the past, the cash-only policy put me off.

0% (11)

Analysis

This survey generated a lot of interesting data for us to digest, so leave us to ruminate, while we share some of your additional comments:

"I can rent a car for $13 day which is much cheaper than a cab back and fourth from the airport. Every time I take a cab I get long hauled."
"We always rent a car when we visit, and that allows us to move from one casino to another without regard to public transportation schedules. Can't make the walk up and down the Strip anymore like we used to. We also like to visit suburban and downtown casinos at least once each trip. Otherwise, how would we take advantage of all those MRB coupons? The only exception is when we know we're going to be drinking at the end of the night, so we usually take a bus (or walk) to our destination, then taxi back. With a little diligence, we are usually able to find a good rate at one of the major car rental companies."
"We use the free shuttles to get to some of the outlying properties we like to visit. Free, except for maybe a $5 tip, is always good."
"I always get a rental car because I play golf, typically 3 rounds per trip, and round trip taxi fare to most golf courses is over $120. This makes the rental car the cost effective alternative. I try to use the Monorail when travelling on the Strip because traffic and parking are such a hassle."
"When I was a Vegas "newbie" and pretty much stuck to locations on the Strip and/or Downtown, I used taxis, the Trolley (now defunct), the Monorail, the free hotel shuttles, or buses. Once the Monorail eliminated the 10 trip pass that could be shared, it became cost prohibitive. A taxi with tip always seems to be $15 to $20 no matter where you go in Vegas. The wait for the free shuttles can sometimes be long, and the problem with buses is that they waste so much of your valuable vacation time making almost every stop as they move up and down the Strip. Now I always rent a car, and if you do your homework via Internet searches, you can usually find a pretty good rental deal, plus it gives you the convenience of going wherever you want in a timely fashion without the waits and delays. Time is money in Vegas!
"I rent a car some of the time for days of sightseeing. For casino hopping I always take a cab. You just walk out front and one is there. It's awesome! If I'm going a short distance I always tip well (at least $10) because I feel bad about the driver sitting in line for a short fare. I value the numerous cabs and I want to support them. I would use the monorail but it is so far off the Strip and it does not go downtown or to the airport. I would definitely use it for both of them. There is no way I am getting on the bus!!!"
"I always rent a car when in Vegas, whether I am there for work or play, by myself or with family. I know my way around pretty well as I have been going on a regular basis for 18 years. I also do a lot of driving while there. For those contemplating whether or not to rent a car: If you like to party hard, DO NOT rent a car; if you are intimidated by heavy traffic or get lost easily, DO NOT rent a car; if you are not going to travel for any sightseeing (e.g., Hoover Dam, Red Rock, downtown, etc) and are staying close to your hotel, there's probably no need to rent a car. If you do rent: Book it online as soon as you have booked your flight. You can always cancel and re-book if you find a cheaper rate later. If you wait until you get to Vegas you will pay through the nose. Also, don't buy the insurance unless you are not covered by your credit card and auto insurance. Do not prepay for a full tank of gas. Fill it up before you return it." [Ed: All sound advice!]
"We visit Vegas 6 to 8 times a year and used to use the bus system exclusively. However, 55 minutes from Stratosphere to MGM Grand in a hostile, overcrowded environment, complete with wall-to-wall traffic, has turned us off. We use the Monorail now even though we have to walk 3 blocks to get to it."
"I always rent a car, then walk a lot downtown. Avoid the Strip like the plague it is, but travel all over Nevada and SoCal. Been doing this about twice a year for probably 30 years. I notice many are uneasy about valet parking and traffic. Both are a piece of cake: Why would anyone pay for parking when a two buck tip will do it. Never had an issue with valet car damage and have NEVER bought rental insurance. Vegas has always been an easy town to drive, but then I ALWAYS avoid the Strip."
"I used to only cab it. But as I got more familiar with the town (and more savvy with my money), I've learned how to utilize the monorail, buses, shuttles (free and paid), etc. Now cabs are only if I've got money to burn or I am in a hurry."
"There used to be a 105 bus that you could pick up near Koval and Flamingo. It was a great way to quickly get downtown and back to the Strip. There was also a bus from the airport that would let you off close to the strip (behind Bally's). Now the Strip buses are so busy it can 2+ hours to get from downtown to even the middle of the Strip. And I tried the bus from the airport and the closest I got was 11 blocks away from the old bus stop! Unfortunately it was July, so I had to drag my luggage a long way in some terrible heat. The transportation experts must have gotten together to figure out how they could make it more difficult for the tourists. Any insight as to an easier (closer) route to/from the Strip and downtown, and from the airport to mid-Strip?" [Ed: Not off the top of our heads, but we'll investigate...]
"We always book a limo from Presidential to go from the airport to our hotel. It's a great start to our Vegas vacation, no cab lines, no worry about long hauling, you get champagne, and you just arrive feeling like a VIP even if you're not!"
"I usually walk from casino to casino. It provides a little exercise, a chance to walk off a burger or slice of pizza and allows me to sober up a little. If I go downtown I will take a cab or the bus and make a day of it. Not much on renting a car because I like to drink when I play video poker and don't want the worry or hassle of dealing with a DUI arrest."

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Poll : 30 July - 12 August 2014

Analysis

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